Features

Getting real with steel

Written by Mike Thee

October 13, 2009

A key milestone was reached in the construction of the McGoldrick Learning Commons when steel was delivered to the project in late September and early October.

“This is the first major delivery of materials for the building,” said Steve De Bruhl, project manager for the library and learning commons. “The building really starts to take shape now. It’s significant in the sense that people can visually see the building going up.”

A few quick facts about the steel. Most of it originated in various steel mills in Tennessee, where the raw materials were melted down and rolled and formed into various shapes and sizes. The mill then shipped the steel to warehouses in Colorado. From there, it traveled to Lewiston, Montana, where it was fabricated, sorted and prepped for delivery to the jobsite.

The 240 tons of steel arrived at SU on eight trucks between Sept. 28 and Oct. 5. A canopy for the building’s south end will arrive separately at a later date. Total cost for the steel: $700,000.

De Bruhl says the next big moment will be the topping out of the building. That’s when the last beam is set into place at the top of the building. The topping out is expected to take place in mid- to late- November, and plans are underway to mark this moment with a special event. Stay tuned for more information.